James 1:17

James 1:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
• New International Version (NIV)Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Context of James 1:17

15Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full grown, it brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18By His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created. 19Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger—

James 1:17 word by word

πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ καὶ πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον ἄνωθέν ἐστιν καταβαῖνον ἀπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς τῶν φώτων παρ᾽ ᾧ οὐκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ ἢ τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• giftδόσιςdosis · giftG1394
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• giftδώρημαdōrēma · free giftG1434
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• from aboveἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• and cometh downκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• the Fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• of lightsφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isἔνιeni · there isG1762
• noοὐou · noG3756
• variablenessπαραλλαγήparallagē · variationG3883
• neitherἤē · orG2228
• shadowἀποσκίασμαaposkiasma · shadowG644
• of turningτροπήtropē · turningG5157

Cross-references for James 1:17

• James 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
• James 3:15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
• Genesis 41:16Then Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, “It’s not within me. God will answer with shalom for Pharaoh.”
• Exodus 4:11So Adonai said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes a man mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, Adonai?
• Exodus 31:3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,
• Exodus 36:1“So Bezalel and Oholiab are to work, along with every wise-hearted man in whom Adonai has placed insight and understanding to know how to perform all the labor for the service of the Sanctuary, according to everything Adonai has commanded.”
• Numbers 11:17Then I will come down and speak with you there, and, I will take some of the Ruach that is on you and will place it on them. They will carry with you the burden of the people, so you will not be carrying it alone.”
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only may Adonai give you insight and understanding when He gives you charge over Israel so that you may observe the Torah of Adonai your God.
• 1 Chronicles 29:19As for my son Solomon, give him a whole heart to keep Your mitzvot, Your decrees and Your statutes, and to fulfill them all and to build the Temple for which I have made provision.”
• 2 Chronicles 1:11Then God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you and have not even asked for long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself—so you can govern My people over whom I have made you king—
• Proverbs 2:6For Adonai gives wisdom. Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
• Isaiah 28:26For his God teaches him judgment, instructing him.
• Daniel 2:21He changes times and seasons. He removes kings and installs kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
• Matthew 7:11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
• Matthew 11:25At that time Yeshua said in response, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and discerning and revealed them to infants.
• Matthew 13:11And He replied to them, “To you has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Commentaries on James 1:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above - Whatever is good is from God; whatever is evil is from man himself. As from the sun, which is the father or fountain of light, all light comes; so from God, who is the infinite Fountain, Father, and Source of good, all good comes. And whatever can be called good, or pure, or light, or excellence of any kind, must necessarily spring from him, as he is the only source of all goodness and perfection…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift - The difference between good and perfect here, it is not easy to mark accurately. It may be that the former means that which is benevolent in its character and tendency; the latter that which is entire, where there is nothing even apparently wanting to complete it; where it can be regarded as good as a whole and in all its parts. The general sense is, that God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17God is the Father of the heavenly lights (see footnote). This is because he created everything in the sky (Genesis 1:3, 14–17). Unlike the moving lights in the sky, God never changes or casts a shifting shadow.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. gift ... gift--not the same words in Greek: the first, the act of giving, or the gift in its initiatory stage; the second, the thing given, the boon, when perfected. As the "good gift" stands in contrast to "sin" in its initiatory stage (Jas 1:15), so the "perfect boon" is in contrast to "sin when it is finished," bringing forth death (2Pe 1:3). from above--(Compare Jas 3:15). Father of lights--Creator of the lights in heaven (compare Job 38:28…Read the comment

Topics related to James 1:17

• Blessing
• Gifts from God
• God
• God Continued...
• Light

In the dictionaries

• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Light
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive
• Religion

Commentaries on James 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings